Learning Laboratory: Craft Fuse (Perler) Beads

My favorite way to coping with “off” days is to introduce a new craft. I remember seeing Perler Beads as a kid, so when I saw IKEA’s version, I decided to give them a try. It was an ambitious project for a five-year-old and three-year-old! They did a good job of keeping the beads contained, but poured them on the boards haphazardly.

Then I tried using the boards myself. I found it challenging! I resorted to using a toothpick, and with this trick Emma was able to make some progress as well!

She fashioned every letter of Johnny’s name all by herself, apart from the very large “O”, which I helped with – which is why it is so big. We made the “O” first, on a circular board. Then Emma made the rest.

Part of me wants to get them some shaped pegboards, but I love Emma’s improvised letters, so maybe I should just wait and see what else she can make on her own? Do your kids play with perler (or pyssla if you get them from IKEA) beads?

We only tried small Michael’s Christmas versions that are joined together by water, and I had to help Anna quite a bit with them. However, I like the idea in principle and want to try them again when daughter is a bit older. Emma’s letters look really pretty!

I put only a few beads at a time in a shoebox bin, and the first time we used them I vacuumed up the ones they left on the floor. Ever since then they have been very good at keeping them off the floor – and picking up those that do fall.

I’ve seen those at IKEA and have wondered about them. I’d never heard of them before. Sorry it took me so long to link up. :) I’m often only on the computer at 5 in the morning. That’s good for my attention during the day, but means I miss online stuff a lot.

The beads are cool, but they were definitely a stretch for my kids. Emma was the only one who could do anything with them, and that was only after I showed her the toothpick trick. Kiddo might like them, though.